EU nations move toward loosening restrictions

On April 15, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced a gradual easing of lockdown measures imposed on March 22.

Stores of up to 800 square meters were allowed to reopen on Monday, on condition that "plans to maintain hygiene" were in place.

Car dealers, bike shops and bookstores have also been allowed to reopen, but hairdressers will only be permitted to do so from May 4. Schools will be allowed to reopen gradually from this date, but large gatherings will remain prohibited until the end of August at the earliest.

Merkel recommended that face masks be worn in stores and on public transportation, but did not make this compulsory.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn said last week the novel coronavirus outbreak was under control, as the number of patients who had recovered had been consistently higher than the figures for new infections.

The country has been viewed as one of the best EU member states in tackling COVID-19, given its aggressive measures adopted for massive testing and contact tracing, strong hospital system and a relatively disciplined population.

In neighboring Austria, restrictions started to be eased on April 14, when the government allowed garden centers, DIY stores and small stores to reopen. Other stores and hairdressers can reopen from May 1.

Margarete Schrambock, the country's economics minister, told Austrian TV, "Experience in countries that have handled it (the outbreak) well has taught us that we have to move gradually."

On Friday, the Austrian government announced that cultural sites, such as museums and libraries, would be allowed to reopen from the middle of next month.

Austria is one of the few EU countries where wearing face masks is compulsory. On March 30, the government announced that supermarket customers would be required to wear masks, provided free at the stores.

Under control

The Czech Republic, where wearing face masks became compulsory even earlier than in Austria, said last week that craft stores would be allowed to reopen on Monday this week, followed by larger stores on May 11 and restaurants and shopping malls on June 8. Wearing masks will remain compulsory until further notice.

Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek told a news conference, "This scenario is based on a parameter where the coronavirus is under control, as it has been until now."